Tiago Montanha Padilha, Renato Baiochi Alves Veronese, Armando Lopes Moreno Junior, and Guilherme Aris Parsekian
i PhD Candidate, Estate University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil, t271024@dac.unicamp.br
ii PhD Candidate, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil, renatoveronese@estudante.ufscar.br
iii Associate Professor, Estate University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil, armoreno@unicamp.br
iv Full Professor, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil, parsekian@ufscar.br
ABSTRACT
The ability of load-bearing clay unit masonry walls to maintain their mechanical integrity after severe thermal events is essential to guaranteeing the protection of lives and property in a fire situation. Reoccupying a building after a fire requires a thorough assessment, especially of changes in the mechanical properties of its components, such as the unit and mortar. There are, however, gaps regarding the changes in mechanical properties that can occur with the sintering of mineral phases at high temperatures in the ceramic material. This study investigates the residual compressive strength of burnt clay structural masonry units after exposure to high temperatures. A compression test was carried out on clay units at room temperature to establish a reference parameter for residual compressive strength. Subsequently, another sample of units was subjected to a thermal test in an electric furnace, where they were heated at 400°C, 800°C and 1000°C. After slow cooling, the units were tested for compression to evaluate changes in their compressive strength. The results indicate that structural masonry clay units retain their compressive strength even after being exposed at 1000°C. This work is part of a larger program that is currently under development.
KEYWORDS: Structural burnt clay blocks, Residual compressive strength, Fire safety.
106-Padilha.pdf
